How are your bowl teams doing?

Jacob's Daddy here ... I was going to start my own blog and post this, but then I realized two important things:
1. No one would read it.
2. If someone did read it, they would expect me to post another one, which may never happen. (See Exhibit A: Queep's Blog.)

Here's how I'm doing with the Bowl Games I Care About:

Saturday, Dec. 23

PapaJohns.com Bowl
My pick: South Florida
Winner: South Florida (def. ECU, 24-7)
Why PapaJohns.com? Why not just Papa Johns? Why does every bowl before Christmas have to be the something DOT COM? Anyway, I picked USF because they're from Florida and because they beat an overrated West Virginia team in the regular season. Plus, Tammy's friend Tamira went to USF.

Armed Forces Bowl
My pick: Utah
Winner: Utah (def. Tulsa, 25-13)
I like Utah because current Gators head coach Urban Meyer spent 2 seasons at Utah.

My record so far: 2-0
All right!

Wednesday, Dec. 27

Emerald Bowl
My pick: UCLA
Winner: FSU (44-27)
Florida State actually gets a winning season this year at 7-6. UCLA had 'em until a meltdown in the fourth quarter. At least a Florida State win helps the Gators look better, since we beat them in the regular season.

My record so far: 2-1
and sinking fast...

Thursday, Dec. 28
Independence Bowl
My pick: Alabama (go SEC)
Winner: Oklahomoa State (34-31)
Way to drop the ball for the SEC, 'Bama.

Texas Bowl
My pick: Rutgers
Winner: Rutgers (def. Kansas State, 37-10)
For some reason, Rutgers was the underdog all season. They deserved to play in a better bowl; hopefully their complete workover of K-State will help them out for next season.

My record so far: 3-2

Friday, Dec. 29
Music City Bowl
My pick: Kentucky (Go Laura, Go SEC)
Winner: Kentucky (def. Clemson, 28-20)
Surprise surprise! UK actually won a bowl game! I still can't believe it. Go SEC!!

Liberty Bowl
My pick: South Carolina (Go SEC, Go Spurrier)
Winner: South Carolina (def. Houston, 44-36)
Gotta pull for the SEC. So far, it looks like we really are the toughest conference in the nation.

Champs Sports Bowl
My pick: Purdue
Winner: Maryland (24-7)
I picked Purdue because of the Reese clan. Sorry guys.

My record so far: 5-3

Saturday, Dec. 30

Alamo Bowl
My pick: Texas
Winner: Texas (def. Iowa, 26-24)
Had to root for TX after they blew their shot at the Big 12 Championship Game, if for no other reason than I felt sorry for Pete and Jenn (mainly Jenn). Hook 'em, horns!

Chick-Fil-A (formerly known as Peach) Bowl
My pick: Georgia
Winner: Georgia (def. Va Tech, 31-24)
Gotta pull for the SEC here. I liked it better when it was the Peach Bowl.

My record so far: 7-3
Things are looking up!

Sunday, Dec. 31

MPC Computers Bowl
My pick: Nevada
Winner: Miami (FL) (21-20)
I don't really care about Nevada, I just can't stand Miami. Nevada had the lead, but lost it in the 4th quarter. I guess the blue turf got to them.

My record so far: 7-4

THE BIG DAY: Monday, Jan. 1, 2007

Outback Bowl
My pick: Tennessee
Winner: Penn State (20-10)
Gotta pull for the SEC, but dang, Tennessee looked horrible during this game. It was tied at the half, but Tennessee allowed a fumble return 80+ yards for a TD in the 4th quarter, and they lost hope after that. Oh well.

Cotton Bowl
My pick: Auburn
Winner: Auburn (def. Nebraska, 17-14)
After watching Tennessee take a dump in the Gator Bowl, it was nice to see Auburn take care of business against Nebraska. I hope Pete and Jenn enjoyed this as much as I did.

Capital One (formerly knows as the Citrus) Bowl
My pick: Arkansas
Winner: Wisconsin (17-14)
The SEC really could have used this one. Michigan played two good (i.e. ranked) teams this year: Ohio State and Wisconsin. They lost to OSU; they beat Wisconsin. Wisconsin played one good team this year -- Michigan. So Wisconsin, which seems overrated, should get killed by the Razorbacks. Instead, the Razorbacks don't take advantage of opportunities, and they take a dump on behalf of the SEC.
By the way -- I liked it better when it was the Citrus Bowl.

Rose Bowl
My pick: USC
Winner: USC (def. Michigan, 32-18)
HECK YEAH!!!! Michigan fans who griped and complained that you deserved to be in the national title game instead of Florida, SHUT UP! Yes, I know, your heart wasn't in it. That's the lamest excuse I ever heard.

Fiesta Bowl
My pick: Boise State
Winner: Boise State (def. Oklahoma in one of the best finishes in bowl history, 43-42 in overtime)
If you didn't stay up to watch the end of this game, you missed it. That's all I can say. Everyone in the country outside of the state of Oklahoma was pulling for the so-called underdog here, including me. I would like to officially thank Boise State for getting the orange and blue some positive momentum in Glendale. (For those who didn't know, the national title game, featuring my Florida Gators, will be played on Monday in Glendale, AZ, at the same stadium as the Fiesta Bowl.)

My record so far: 10-6
Not too bad!

Two more to go:
Tonight -- Sugar Bowl, LSU vs. Notre Dame
My pick: LSU
This pick is easy. One, I think Notre Dame is overrated. They are always overrated. And two, course, gotta go for the SEC team. Right now, LSU is looking good; they're up 34-14 at the end of the 3rd quarter. If they can hang on, I'll be an impressive 11-6 in Bowl Games I Care About.

And of course, Monday night -- BCS Championship Game, Florida v. Ohio State
My pick: DUH (Florida Gators)
Here's why I think the Gators will win: First of all, Ohio State expects to walk over them, and the Gators are a lot tougher than the Buckeyes think. Ohio State will have had 51 days off before the game; Florida played two games (including a major win over Arkansas in the SEC Championship) since Ohio State hung it up for the season. But most importantly, the Gators seem to find a way to win. It's not always pretty, but they make it happen, whether it's a last-second interception against Florida State or a blocked field goal and a blocked extra point against South Carolina.

OK, your turn. How did your teams do? Who are you rooting for in the Championship Game? (No pressure, but keep in mind that I officially rooted for any and all teams linked to family members, except Penn State. Sorry Mom.) Add your picks in the comments: